GQ’s Favorite: Kiya

As soon as we tested KIYA’s black-carbon steel nail clippers, we understood the difference between a great nail clipper and a cheap carbon copy: A great one (that is, KIYA’s) works like a straight razor, cutting smoother, cleaner lines with more precision than the duller competitors. Turns out we’ve been settling for hack jobs all these years. For just a few bucks more, you can upgrade to the sharp-edged shears engineered by knife-smiths from Japan. Save yourself from subpar clippers and the ragged results. .

3 Reasons We Love KIYA’s Black Steel Nail Clippers

1. That steel though: Did we mention that KIYA is a Japanese knife manufacturer? We’d bet our bottom yen that there’s no sharper, stronger device for the task at hand. This thing will cut through your manly nails like a chef's knife through unagi, with little force required on the lever.

2. Design meets function: Before getting started, tuck the tool into its plastic sheath, which will catch your clippings and make cleanup easy. You’ll find a file on the reverse of the steel lever, to help round out nails after each trim.

3. Black is the new silver: Aesthetics are everything, and KIYA’s all-black everything is a smart differentiation from the dozens of silver clippers that look alike. (For this reason, it might be one of the few that is passable as a gift.)

Two More Nail Clippers We Like

The Utilitarian Pick: Victorinox NailClip 580

KIYA isn’t the only knife-maker in the nail-clipping biz: Victorinox Swiss Army makes one that is also literally a knife. OK, it’s a pocketknife, but it’s also a nail clipper, file, and grime cleaner, among other functions. Attach it to your keychain, and it’ll follow you everywhere. (Just don’t use them in public, please.)

It’s hard to come by a pair of toenail clippers (the larger, straighter shears) that are as cutting-edge as their smaller, rounder companions. Tweezerman’s razor-sharp, stainless-steel set has a comfort-grip rubber case that eases both cutting and cleaning.